Method of knitting



May 18, 1943. K J, 1 BEERS 2,319,768

METHOD 0F KNITTING f Filed 061'.. 21, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 www m INVENTOR.

`\ ATTORNEY.

.. @hmmmh Mayv 18, 1943. y J, L, BEERs K y 2,319,768

METHOD oF KNITTING Filed oct. 21, 1936 5 slweizsr--shee1g. 2

INVENTOR. 5

ATTORNEY.

. My 18, 1943. J, BEERS 2,319,768l Y METHOD OF KNI'ITING y Fil'd Oct. 21, 1936 5 Sh'ee'cs-ShetI 5 INVENTOR.

' ATTORNEY.

May 18,V 1943. J BEERS u 2,319,768

METHOD oF KNITTIN Filed 061;. 21, 1936 5 SheecSfSheet 5 www MH H LJ x.' H

- IM @CFM fili). lfl

i *-I-U,' J U @5gg 1J. ZA-Y Y INVENT OR. fasyi L5M/1s. BY

Patented May 18,' 1943 Joseph L. Beers, Bloomfield, N. J., assigner to Julius Kayser 8; C0., Brooklyn, N.Y. l f.

Application october 21, 193e, vserial No. 106,328

The present invention relates to hosiery, more particularly to full fashioned stockings of the single unit type, and contemplates an improved method of manufacturing the fabric blank for such stockings.

As known in theart,- the manufacture of the ordinary type of full fashioned stocking blanks (c1. (se-s2) requiresthe use of two distinct and separate machines--one called the legger and the other known as the fouten The legger is adapted to knit the leg portion of the stocking blank, including thev heel tabs, while the footer is devised 4to knit the foot (consisting of the instep, sole, and

toe) of the blank as a continuation of the leg and heel tabs after said leg and heeltabs have been transferred onto the needles of the footer. i

The manufacture of full fashioned stockings of the single unit type differs from the manufacture of the ordinary type in that the leg and foot of the blank of a single unit type of stocking are knitted continuously on one and the same machine.

Full fashioned stockings of the single unit type i.

are preferable, to the ordinary type because, due to the fact that the leg and foot portions are knitted contiguously, there are produced a proper .matching between the ,leg fabric andthe foot fabric, and .uniform texture throughout the blank. However, the manufacture of` single unit type of stockings has heretofore been limited and practically prohibited because the various methods devised for their manufacture are quite involved and necessitate the'utilization of complisame.

cated machines which, obviously, places the cost f of production on an exceedingly high scale.

Therefore, it is the primary purpose of this invention to provide a method of manufacturing single unit type of full fashioned stockings, the e use of which makes it possible to produce such stockings at a cost substantially at par with the manufacture of the ordinary two-unit type of full fashioned stockings. y 1

The invention aims to provide a method of knitting .full fashioned stockings of the; single unit type `capable of being carried out easily on a machine having a greatly simplified construction, the invention being especially characterized in that the method, particularly the steprelating to the formation of the heel tabs, may be carried out on an ordinary footer with slight changes readily made therein. 4

An important object of the invention resides in the provision of a method whereby are eliminated certain` looping operations lwhich have heretofore been necessary to join certain parts of the stocking; According to the `fpres'eiit"."in vention, these parts are joined during the knitting operation.

Itis also an important i to provide a stocking blank of the typespeciiled", wherein the usual relatively wide, bulging, 'and unsightly looping Seamsfat theheell and"foot sections'are obviated, and narrowfiia't seams of smooth and even appearance'anfel formedthrein.'

The method of the present invention isfu'rther characterized-by the fact that the foothfabricv is automatically turned to a positionjatright Vangles to the general'direction'of the1leg fabric as'the heel fabric is being knitted, and'thatsaidffoot fabric is automatically transferred for interloopjing connection with said heel fabric' as the v`Imitting thereof progresses, whereby the leg; foot, high-splice, and heel portions become integral and continuous parts.l j.

Other important objects and advantages of the inventionwill be in part 'obviousand in part pointed outhereinafter.

t In order fthat the'k invention Vand its mode of operation may be readily `understood by persons skilled in 'thel art', I have 'in the, accompanying drawings, 'and inthe detailed description based thereupon, set out possible embodimentsof the In these drawings: ,Figure 1 isa' side elevation of ing constructed in accorda-nce withthe invention. Figure 2 shows the stocking blank including'the leg and foot portions knitted inlaccordancewith the invention. v

Figure 3 shows the blanktof Figure 2 with the heel tabs knitted therein.i j Figure 4 isan enlarged detail of theblank diagrammatically illustrating the-formation of the severing courses. v f j 1 Figure' is a view similar to Figure '4 diagrammatically illustrating aV modification ,of the ,invention wherein a pull-out'thread i sV4 used instead of the severing courses. f

Figure 6 diagrammaticallyshows la portion of vthe blank severed andfolde'd for .topping onto the needles of'an ordinaryl footer conyertedto form theheeitans. Figure 7 diagrammaticallyshows the portion of the blank ofv Figure/6 -atthe completionlofthe .heeltabs t v Figure 8 diagrammatically shows the method of uniting the Yedges of the-heel.tabs.f. 'f I Figure 9 diagrammatically shows the engagement of loops with sets of knitting Land non-knitting needles.

Figures i0, 11. yand f2 diagra'rrmaticaiiy illusobjectpf nie invention y gleSSeS.

heel 4, the heel proper 5, the instep 6, the sole 1., f

`and the toe l.

In carrying out my improved method, the leg 3 with the high-splice heel 4, sole 1, and toe 8 arev knitted contiguously on one machine. The highsplice heel 4, together with the sole 'I and toe 8 may be reinforced by introducing additional yarns 'in the usual manner, as shown at 9 in Figures 4 andv 5 of the drawings.v

At the point between the high-splice heel I of the leg 3 and the sole 1 of the foot, where the blank is to severed forl the insertion of the heel tabs, there are knitted series ofpartial loose courses I0 which extend from the selvedge edges for a predetermined distance into the body of the blank,l the length of the partial loose courses de pending upon the desired width of the heel tabs to be inserted in the fabric.

The provision of the partial loose courses Ill, it-

will be understood, affords a convenient guiding line for the severing of the fabric and, for that purpose, the feed. of the additional reinforcing yarn 9 is preferably stopped during the formation of said partial loose courses as is more clearly shown invFigure 4. v

It is also contemplated to introduce a pull-out thread I|` at one of the loose courses In whereby,

upon removing said pull-out thread II, the leg and foot fabrics at the high-splice heel section 4 and sole section .1 will separate, thus obviating the necessity o fcutting into the fabric.

Subsequent to the-separationfof,thefabrid as stated, the foot portion is folded ove'nthe leg porf-` tion, and the sole sections l, are folded'upon the instep section 5 in the manner more clearly represented iny Figure 6 of the drawings. By'folding the stocking .blank in the manner specified, it will be appreciated that the marginal row of loops I2 of the high-splice heel 4, and the marginal row of `loops Il of each of the solefabrics 1 lay substantially `on a straight line, as'indicated at l I4, so that's'aid-rows of loops I2 Aand I3 may :be

topped on the 4bank of needles of a footer.- converted to knit the heel tabs.

It is to be'noted that because of the folding of the blank, as above set forth, the loops of the foot and sole sections are reversed so that, in the topping operation, the sinker portion of the marginal row of loops I3 .of each sole section l will engage the corresponding needles of the converted footer, whereasthe needle portion of the marginal row of loops I2 of each high-splice heel section `4 will engage the associated needles of said footer in the manner more clearly represented in Figure 9 of the drawings.

The converted footer is provided with two sets of needles, diagrammatically shown in Figures 9, 10, 11, and 12, one set of needles I5 being nonknitting needles, the other set of needles I6 being adapted to knit in the usual way.

As shown, the non-knitting needles II5 preferably consist of needles having-shortened beards, which prevent the loops I3 jon said needles from being pressed off during theknitting-of the heel tabs 5. It is also possible to use ordinary knitting'needles, instead of the shortened beard needles and, in this event, the usual presser edge, which is disposed opposite said needles, may be removed so that the needles will not press oil', or the needles may be so mounted as to be moved away from their associated presser edge, which will likewise prevent pressing oif.

Associated with the non-knitting needles I5'are transfer -points Il devised to pick the loops I3 oil said non-knitting needles I5 and transfer them for interlooping engagement with the adjacent end loops I8 of the courses I9 constituting the .heel tabs 5 as the same ae being knitted.

The loops I3 on the non-knitting needles I5 are transferred the distance of one or more wales, as necessity or preference may dictate. In Figure 10, I have illustrated the single wale transfer. According to this mode of operation of knitting the heel tabs 5 and simultaneously joining the sole portions 1 thereto, the transfer points Il descend and pick all the loops I3 oif the non-knitting needles I5 and transfer said loops one needle distance, which places each end loop successively in engagement with the end knitting needle. of the row of needles I6. An intermediate course y2|! may :be knitted on needles I5 between each 'picked off the loops I3. It will be appreciated that since the two needle transfer, as compared with the single needle transfer, cuts in half the number of dipsrequired to transfer the number of loops topped on the non-knitting needles I5, the two needle transfer operation will speed production in interknitting the loops in the manlner heretofore described. However, at least three extra courses are found necessary aftereach interknitting course, to give the proper length to the heel, resulting in producing small openings at lthe line of juncture between the sole and the heel.

The defect above mentioned can be overcome by following the method of operation shown in Figure 12. In practicing this latter mode of operation, two sets of transfer points 22 and 23 are provided on the knitting machine. The transfer points 22 and 23 are adapted to simultaneously pick off the loops I3 and while points 23 are Amoved the distance of two needles, the points 22 (preferably two in number) are moved the distance of three needles. It will be understood that by proceeding in this manner, the first Wale 'Mv of the heel tabs 5 is left without transfer loops. While three extra courses are also required to be knitted between each transfer course, the holes which might result are not visible because the connections or joinings are all on the second and third wales of the tabs which are usually tighter and the first Wale of the heel covers whatever small holes may result.

The transfer operation causes the marginal loops of the foot-fabric to become interlooped with the adjacent--marginalloops of the heel tab fabric and, accordingly, no vseaming operation is necessary 4to unitethewsame. Furtherknitted fabric on a set of non-knitting.needles,.

ing tio-this feature of the invention, after the completionof the heel tabs 5, the blank is folded upon itself to bring the lower edges of the heel forminga complete topping the marginal` loops of a second knitted `fabric on a set of knittingneedles, 'knitting a third fabric as a continuation of the second fabric, transferring the loops topped on the nonknitting `needles to engage and interloop the adjacent loops .of said third fabric,` and knitting plaincourses in said third fabric between each transfer of vsaidloops. n

4.- The method yof vuniting two knitted fabrics comprising topping the marginal loopsof a first .knitted fabric on a 'set of mon-knitting' needles,

the same. In Figures 8 'and"-`1?,l1 .j:have shown the manner in which the heel tabs may-be inter knitted at their lower marginal edges. 1 Accordtopping'the marginal loops of ,n."second knitted fabric on a setv of knittingflneedle's,"knitting a thirdplabric as a continuation ofk thefsecond fabric,'transferring theloopstopped onetiienontabs adjacent one another so that the marginal row ofv lo'ops 21 of each heel tab may-be topped respectively on two relatively spaced sets of nonknimngneedies 2a and it.A Arranged between the spaced sets of non-knitting needles 28 and 29 is a setof knitting needles 30, preferably two in number, although this number may be increased .knitting needles to engage andinterloopthe ad- ,latent loops 'of'said .third fabric, and knitting a plainy ycourse in. said third fabric between each transferringof-said-loops. y f

. 5.,1he 'method of l-mariufacturin'g stocking y blanksfof the-s inglevunittype comprising knity tingas a 'continuous operation a stocking blank including alegportion and a foot portion, par

if desired. A yarn 3| is adapted to be suitably fed to the knitting needles in order that relatively short courses v32 maybe knitted. therel from.

Associated with each set of non-knitting needles 28 and 29 are setsnfrnarrowing points 33' and 34, respectivelyfd'i'sposed to engage the rows of loops '35 andf'36 and progressively transfer them in the manner set `forth in the description of the knitting of the heel tabs, whereby the end loop of each ,frow vwill become interlooped.

with the adjacentI loops ofthe relatively short courses 32, as more clearly shown in Figure 13 of the drawingsu It willbe understood that the toe section of thefoot at the vpoint ,31 (Figure 1) maybe joined in the same manner as the lower edgeof the heel tabs.

I wish it to be understood that the stocking construction and the method. of forming the blank therefor may slightly vary without departing from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, those modifications which come within the scope of the following claims are to be considered within the spirit of the invention.

I claim: l 1 l. The method o f uniting two knitted fabrics comprising topping `the vmarginal loops of a knitted fabric on a s et of non-knitting needles, topping the marginalloops of another knitted fabric on a set of knitting needles, knitting a series of courses as a continuation of the fabric topped on the knitting need1es,\and transferring the loops topped on the non-knitting needles to engage and interloop the adjacent loops of said courses. e

2. The method of uniting two knitted fabrics comprising .topping the `marginal loops of a first knitted fabric on a set of non-knitting needles, topping the marginal loops of a second knitted third fabric as a continuation of the-said secy fabric on a set. of knitting needles, knitting a i tially'separating the leg portion from the'foot portion vat'theopposite marginal 'edges-'of the blank, -topping the separatedma'rginal loops of the leg portionionia set of knitting needles, topping. the Ajseparated marginal loops 'ofthe foot portion on' a Set of non-knitting needles, and knitting heel tabs as acontinuation of the loops toppedv on the knitting needleslwhile transferring the loops Aonjthe non-knitting needlesV to engage and interloop the adjacent loops of `the I heel tabs, as the knitting thereof progresses.

6. The 'method1 of .manufacturing stocking blanks ofthe single type comprising knitting as a .continuous operation" a stocking' blank -includingv a leg portion and* afoot portlon,'p'a'rtia1ly separating the leg portionvfro'm the foot portion at the opposite marginal edges of the blank,V topping the separated marginal loops of the'legportion on a set of knitting needles, topping the separated marginal loops of the foot portion on a set of non-knitting needles, .knitting heel tabs as a continuation of the loops topped on theknitting needles while transferring the loops on the y vnon-knitting needles to engage and interloop the adjacent loops of the heel tabs as the knitting thereof progresses, and knitting plain courses'in said heel ltabs at intervals between the transfer of the loops.

` 7. The method of manufacturing stocking blanks of the single unit type comprising knitting as a continuous operation a stocking blankincluding a leg portion and a' footeportion, par- -tially separating the leg portion from the foot portion at the opposite marginal edges ofthe i blank, topping the separated marginal loops of the leg portion on a set of knitting needles, topping the separated marginal loops ofv they foot portionon a set of `non-knitting needles, knitting heel tabs as a continuation of the loops ftopped'on kthe knitting needles whiltransferringtheloops `on the non-knitting needles to engage andinterloop the adjacent loops of the heel tabs as vthe knitting thereof progresses, and knitting plain comprising topping the marginal loops of a first courses in said heel .tabs `between leach transfer of the loops. f 8. The method 'of -manufacturing stocking blanks ofthe single unittype comprisingknit--, ting as a continuous operation a stocking blank including a leg portion anda foot portion, par-Kv tially separating the leg portion from the foot portion at the opposite marginal edges of the blank, topping the separated marginal loops of the leg portion on a set of knitting needles, topping the separated marginal loops of the foot portion on a set of non-knitting needles, knitting heel tabs as a continuation of the loops topped onthe knitting needles while transferring the loops on the non-knitting-needles to engage and interloop the 'adjacent loops of the heel tabs` as the knitting thereof progresses, and knitting a plain course in said heel tabs between each transfer of the loops.

9. The method of uniting two knitted fabrics comprising topping the marginal row of loops gf each fabric on two relatively spaced sets of non-knitting needles, knitting courses between the fabrics topped on said spaced Asets of nonknitting needles, and transferring the loops topped on the non-'knitting needles for interlooping engagement with the adjacent loops of said courses as the knitting thereof progresses.

l0. The method of uniting two knitted fabrics comprising topping the marginal row of loops of each fabric on two relatively spaced sets of non-knitting needles, knitting courses between the fabrics topped on said`spaced sets of nonknitting needles, and transferring the loops topped on the non-knitting needles for interlooping engagement with the adjacent loops of certain of said` courses as the knitting thereof foot fabrics comprising partially separating the leg fabric from the foot fabric at the marginal edge of the blank to provide a pair of separated partial courses of loops,A knitting a heel tab fablric onto the loops of the separated partial course of the leg fabric and transferring the loops of the separated partial course of thel foot fabric for interlooping `engagement. with the adjacent loops of said heel tab as the knitting thereof progresses.

13. The method of forming a heel pocketin a stocking blank having integrally knitted leg and foot fabrics comprising partially separating the leg fabric from the foot fabric at the opposite.

marginal edges of the blank to provide pairs of separated .partial coursesv of loops, knitting a heel tab fabricl onto the loops of each of the separated partial courses of the leg fabric, transferring the loops of each of the separated partial courses of the foot fabric for interlooping engagement with the adjacent loops of the heel tabs as the knitting thereof progresses, knitting relatively short courses between the loops of the last course of each of the heel tabs while transferring the loops of said last courses for interlooping engagement with the adjacent loops of the relatively lshort courses,. and seaming the selvedge edges of the heel tabs.

14. The method of knitting a heel portion onto the leg and foot portions of a combination stock ing blank which comprises knitting heel courses onto the leg portion'of the blank, and during the knitting of said courses interknitting the inner edge of said heel portion into theA adjoining portion of the foot fabric. I j

15. The method of knitting the heel portions into a combination foot and leg stocking blank having the foot'portion knited onto the leg, which comprises separately supporting those portions of the last course of leg fabric and those portions of the first course of the foot fabric to which the heel portions are to be knitted, knitting heel courses into said supported course of leg fabric and during the knitting offollowing heel courses, successively knitting adjoining Wale loops of said supported foot fabric course into the inner selvage edges of the heel portions.

`16. The method of knitting a stocking `which consists in knitting the leg section and the foot section of the stocking as a contiguous unitary fabric; separating a portion of the leg section from a portion of the foot section; knitting a heel tab 'as a continuation of the separated portion of the leg section; and interknitting in overlapping relation loops of the heel tab and loops y l of the foot section to form a connection therebetween as the knitting of said heel tab progresses.

1'7. The method of knitting a full-fashioned stocking which consists in knitting the leg section, the instep section, the sole sections, and the toe section of the stocking as a contiguous unitary fabric; separating the sole sections from the adjoining portions of the leg section; knitting heel tabs as knitted continuations of the separated portions of the leg section; and interknitting in overlapping relation loops of the heel tabs along one edge thereof and loops of the sole sections to form a connection between the heel tabs and the sole sections as the knitting of the heel tabs progresses.

18. The method of knitting a full-fashioned stocking which consists in knitting the leg section, instep section, sole sections, and toe section of the stocking as a contiguous unitary fabric; cutting the sole sections from the adjoining portions of the leg section; knitting a. heel tab as a continuation of each cut `portion of the leg section; and interknitting in overlapping relation the selvedge loops of one of the selvedge edges of each heel tab with a course of loops of the corresponding cut sole section to form a connection therebetween as the knitting of the heel tabs progresses.

19. The method of knitting a stocking which consists in knitting the leg section and the foot section of the stocking-as a contiguous unitary fabric; separating a portion of the leg section from a portion of the foot section; knitting a heel tab as a continuation of one separated portion; and interconnecting the heel tab and other separated portion by interknitting in overlapping -relation loops of the heel tab and loops of said other separated portion as the knitting of the heel tab progresses.

20. A method for seaming together at least two edge portions of a full-fashioned stocking blank on the needles of a needle bar,`each of said edge portions beingformed by aplurality of free terminal wale loops; said method including the steps of providing the terminal wale loops of said edge portions on 'the needles of said needle bar; interknitting a yarn with'the adjacent terminal Wale loops of the two edge portions; and then interknitting said yarn with the remaindr'of said terminal Wale loops in a,- plurality of series ofvoperations; each ofsaid series of operations comprising at least one transfer of loops in one v of said edge portions from one group of said needles to'. another group of said needles, v forining va course of loops on a certain group of othergroupof- Wales .by'knitting a plurality of courses and simultaneously interknitting certain of the .loops of said courses withecertain of said terminalloops. y f l w22. vThe methodof seamng together the terminal wale loops at the ends Vof lthe vtwoheeltabs of a stocking blank which comprises the steps of providing the terminal loops Vat the end of said heeltabs on two groupspf needles; knitting a plurality of courses-of loops on certain knitting other between successive courses ye. .distance of yat least one needle and not morethan the number of said certain knitting needles until all of said terminal loops have been transferred to vsaid knitting needles and united by said courses.

23. The method of uniting at least two knitted fabric portions comprising topping the marginal row of loops of each knitted fabric portionon twosrelatively spaced sets .of non-knittingneedles,' knitting courses between the knitted fabric portions topped on said spaced sets of nonknitting needles, and transferring the loops topped on the non-knitting needles for interlooping engagement with the adjacent loops of said courses as the knitting thereof progresses.

at least two knitted 24. The method of uniting fabric portions comprising topping the marginal row of loopsy ofteach knitted fabric portion on two relatively spaced sets of non-knitting needles,

knitting courses between the knitted fabric portions topped on the non-knitting needles, and

transferring the loops topped on the non-knitting needlesv for interlooping engagement with the adjacent loops of certain of'said courses as the knitting thereof progresses.

25. The method ofL uniting at least two knitted fabric portions comprising topping. the marginal -row of loops 'of each knitted fabric portionon two relatively spaced sets of non-knitting needles, 4knitting courses between the knitted fabric portions topped on said spaced sets of non-*knitting needles, and transferring lthe .loops topped on upon a portion of a row'of needles of a knitting machine, placing another series of terminal loops upon another portion of the rowof needles of ting courses of loops with wd mman! s;

arated courses"- 28.' A 'methodfor `seeming together two edge portions of'a fullefashioned stocking -lilanlr` on the needles of a needle'bar, each of said edge portions being formed by a plurality of free terminal Wale loops, sa.id\'mei;hodv comprising the steps ofproviding the loops of Asaid edge lportions on the needles 'of-said needle bar, knitting `a plurality of courses, each oi' saidcourses being knit only on certain of the 'needles of s aiclneedle bar, andtransfer'ring atleast-the terminal-.Wale

loops of one-of said edge portions-fronirone group of needles to another -groupf'of-needles prior -to vthe forming of: the loops o f each of .said courses on the needles ofv said! needle-ibex', fsaid knitting and transfer loperations being so' related that said yarn'vis Ain'terlcnit withtheterminal lWale loops' of Aboth stocking fedgefportinn's needles adjacent the inner edges of said heel tabs, and transferringthe heeltabs towards each sea'm them together.

steps of vprovidingthe terminal 'loops at the end of said heel tabson twogroups"of-needles. knitting a""plurality'of` courses of 'loops on certain' knitting needles adjacent the inner,k edges of 'said heel tabs, and transferring the heel tabstowards each other. between` ysuccessive coursesv untilfall of said terminal loops have been transferredfto said knittingvneedles and unitedfby-l said courses.

30. The' method of 'seamingtogether two stock- 'ing portions having wales extending totheir-respective endedges and terminating .in' free loops, by interknitting a/ yarnf with said' loopspsaid method comprising'the steps yoi forming iloops of said yarn on at least two operative needles needles, placing adjacent/terminal loopson said two operative needles andthe remaining terminal loops ofthe respective stocking portionson said idle needles,v continuing said knittingby forming anothercourse of loopsof said yarn-,gon

Vs aid operative needles and then-pressingo'from verative needles. 'andv the other Aterminal vloops gon idle needles, andrepeating saidcourseforming,

.pressing-off, andftransfer operations until all of the terminal loops of the two'stocking portions havebeen. internaten-with said yarns@ :om a seamfor the-stocking portions. v.

31am .the fnnishingof a steeringv madelfrom Y a full-fashionedg-stocking blank having edgeportions formed' of vtermi-nal wale loops,themethod comprising knitting courses of vyarn to form a strip of knitted material, andvjoining said. terthe knitting machine,. separated from thev first n portionby anintermediate v group of needles, and I knitting courses from `a separate thread upon s aidintermediate set of needlesv and interlooping the same with the tw'o series of terminal loops. Y

27.V The' method of seeming' at least two individual normally separated courses of' hosiery fabric`which consistsln'placing said "courses upon the needles o f a' knitting'machineand interknit of yam inform a 'strip of knittediitenel,"

seam thereior'by interknittingsaid termin .minal wale loopgedge portions to form agseam therefor-.by interknitting said terminal Wale. lAQPs andsaidstrip. s2. In the finishingpr a stoeliingfmtde from I a full-fashioned "stocking blanklavlngheel'porloops and said strip.' 1

33.1 The memodjpf knitting-shea poison ont@ the leg andA` footportionsj of "af combination lstocking blank comprising topping the marginal loops Yof vthe leg portiori'ona setv of knitting needles,

topping me margin'aiiqopsorthe foot 'perdonen a. set of non-knitting needles, knitting heel tabs I as a continuation of the loops topped on the knitting needles while transferring the loops from the non-knitting needles to engage and interloop the adjacent loops of the heel tabs as the knitting thereof progresses, and knitting plain courses in said heel tabs at intervals between the transfer of said loops.

35. The ymethod of knitting a heel portion onto the leg and foot portions of a combination stocking blankecomprlsing topping the marginal loops of the leg portion on a set of knitting needles, topping the marginal loops of the foot portion on a set of non-knitting needles, knitting heel tabs as a continuation of the loops topped on the knitting needles while transferring the loops from the non-knitting needles .to engage and interloopvthe adjacent loops of the heel ta'bs as the knitting thereof progresses, and knitting plain courses in the heel tabs between each transfer of the loops.

36. 'Ihe method of knitting a heel portion onto.

the adjacent loops of the heel tabs as the knitting thereof progresses, and knitting a plain course in said heel tabs between each transfer of the loops.

37. The method of uniting two knitted fabrics comprising topping themarginal loops of a knitted fabric on a set of non-knitting needles, topping the marginal loops of another knitted fabric on a set of knitting needles, knitting a, series of courses as-a, continuation of the fabric topped on the knitting needles, and transferring the loops topped on the non-knitting needles to engage and interloop certain of the loops within said courses.

38. The method of uniting two knitted fabrics comprising topping the marginal loops of a`rst fabric on a set of non-knitting needles, topping the marginal loops of a second fabric on a set of knitting needles, knitting a third fabric with selvedge edges as a continuation of the second fabric, transferring the loops topped on the nonknitting needles to engage and interloop certain of the loops inwardly of the adjacent selvedge edge of said third fabric.

39. The method of uniting two knitted fabrics comprising topping the marginal loops of a first fabric on a set of non-knitting needles, topping the marginal loops of a second fabric on a set of knitting needles, knitting a third fabric with selvedge edges as a continuation of the second fabric, transferring the loops topped on the nonknitting needles to engage and interloop certain of the loops inwardly of the adjacent selvedge edge of said third fabric, and knitting plain courses in said third fabric at intervals between the transfer vof said loops.

40. The method of uniting two knitted fabrics comprising topping the marginal loops of a first fabric on a set of non-knitting needles, topping the marginal loops of a second fabric on a set of knitting needles, knitting a third fabric with selvedge edges as a continuation of the second fabric, transferring the loops topped on the nonknitting needles to engage and interloop certain of the loops inwardly of the adjacent selvedge edge of said third fabric, and knitting a plain course in said third fabric between each transfer of said loops.

41. The method of producing a fabric, which comprises knitting a blank to have adjacentloose loop course portions inwalewise register, folding the blank near adjacent ends of said course portions to remove said portions from said register and to have them substantially in coursewise alinement, topping. the aligned course portions onto loop-manipulating implements of a knitting machine, knitting from one of said course portions a fabric insert while preventing the knitting of loops to said other course portion, and transferring loops of the latter portion to loops knitted to said one course portion during the knitting of the insert.

4,2. The method of producing a full-fashioned stocking blank, whichcomprises knitting on one machine the entire blank except half heel pocket elements at opposite sides of the blank, but providing adjacentl loose loop course portions inl walewise register at each of said sides, folding the blank near adjacent ends of said course portions to remove the same from said register and to h ve them substantially in coursewise alignment, topping the aligned course portions onto loop-manipulating implements of a knitting machine, knitting from one of said course portions at each of said sides av heel pocket insert while preventing the knitting of loops to the adjacent said other course portion, and transferring loops of the latter portion to loops knitted to the adjacent said oneportion during the knitting of the insert.

43. The method of producing Aa fabric, which comprises knitting a blank to have adjacent loose loop course portions in walewise register, folding the blank near adjacent ends of said course portions to remove said portions from said register and to have them substantially in coursewise alignment, topping the aligned course portions onto loop-manipulating implements of a knitting machine, knitting from one of said course portions a fabric insert of a g'iven number of courses greater than thenumber of loops in said other course portion while preventing the knitting of loops to the latter portion, and transferring loops of the latter portion to loops knitted to saidone course portion in selected distribution substantially throughout the length of said insert during the knitting of the latter.

44. The method of producing a fabric, which comprises knitting a blank to have adjacent loose loop course portions in walewise register, folding the blank near adjacent ends of said course portions to remove said portions from said register and to have them substantially in coursewise alignment, topping the aligned course portions onto loop-manipulating implements of a knitting machine, with one of said portions on a group of loop-manipulating implements having long beards and the other on a group of loop-manipulating implements having short beards, knitting from said one course portion a fabric insert while preventing casting of loops from the implements,

having the short beards, and successively transferring loops from the short beard implements to long' beard implement loops during the knitting of the insert.

45. The method of producing a fabric, which comprises knitting a blank to have adjacent loose loop course portions in walewise register, folding the blank near adjacent ends of said course portions to remove said portions from said register and to have them substantially in coursewise alignment, topping the aligned course portions onto loop-manipulating implements of a knitting machine, with one of said portions on a group of implements having long beards and. the other on a group of implements having short beards, knitting from said one course portion a fabric insert of a given number of courses greater than `the number of loops in said other course portion while preventing the forming of loops on, and the casting of loops from, the implements having the short beards, and successively transferring loops from the short beard implements to long beard implement loops in selected distribution substantially throughout the length of .said insert during the knitting of thelatter.

46. A method of uniting preknitted fabric portions comprising interknitting loops of said portions with yarn while knitting the latter into courses and wales.

t 4,7. A method of forming a knitted seam for fabric portions comprising interjoining said por` tions with yarn while knitting the latter into courses and wales.

48. A method of uniting at least two knitted fabric portions on a. knitting machine having at least two sets of needles, comprising knitting successive courses on one set of needles and successively transferring loops from the other set of needles onto the rst mentioned set of needles as the courses of loops are knitted by the latter.

49. A method of providing a knitted fabric` insert between portions of pre-knitted fabric, comprising knitting the insert and simultaneously therewith transferring loops of said portions to be interknitted with said insert.

50. A method of providing a knitted fabric insert between two portions of pre-knittedfabric,

Vneedles of a knitting machine, operating the knitting machine to knit yarn into loops as conf tinuations of the loops of one of said knitted fabric portions and, during such knitting, transferring the loops of the other of said knitted fabric portions for interknitting with the loops being knitted from said yarn. f

53. A method for seaming together at least two portions of knitted fabric on the needles of a needle bar, each of said portions having a row of free loops, said method comprising the steps of providing said free loops. on needles of said needle bar, knitting a yarn on needles of said needle bar to form a plurality of courses of loops, and inter-knitting said yarn with the free loops in both of said rows during the formation of said courses.

54. A method for seaming knitted fabric, said fabric having groups of loops, and the method to be performed with the aid of loop supporting means including a group of active needles, said method comprising the steps of knitting yarn on said active needles to form a series of connected courses, providing said fabric loops on said loop supporting means, transferring the loops in said loop groups ontosaid active needles,l the loops in said groups being transferred in succession to said needles and during the formation of said series of courses, whereby said loop groups are interknitted with and joined by said yarn.

rJOSEPH L. BEERS. 

